Lebanon deporting first batch of Syrians amid UN rejection
DAMASCUS (North Press) – On Wednesday, first batch of Syrian refugees, including 100 families, was deported towards Syria from Lebanon, following years of political disputes on the issue.
The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) revealed “the return truck” sets off from a point in “Wadi Hamid” towards the amusement park in Arsal on the Eastern Mountains and from there to the border crossing in al-Zimrani-Qalamoun Gharbi to cross into Syrian territory to the village of Flitah, al-Nabk and Deir Atiyah.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reject the deportation, saying Syria is still “unsafe for the return” of refugees.
Hector Hajjar, caretaker Minister of Social Affairs accompanied the batch towards the Syrian border with a security and intelligence escort.
On Monday, Lebanese security announced logistical preparations for the deportation of the Syrian refugees were finished though the operation faces obstacles including UN reservation over security situation in Syria.
Lebanese General Security assumes the mission of enrolling and scrutinizing names of families to return.
The day was dubbed a “nationalistic par excellence” according to Hajjar who added other batches will continue in the days to come.
Lebanese authorities encourage Syrian refugees to return home to alleviate the severity of strangling economic situation in the country.
The Lebanese president earlier this month stated that the issue of returning the Syrian refugees is very important as the country is facing deteriorating conditions.
The number of the Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon is approximately 1.5 million, about 900.000 of whom are registered at the UNHCR.